Two-Year-Old Peanut Crowned 'World's Ugliest Dog'

1.How many years has the 'World's Ugliest Dog' contest been around? How many contestants did it attract this year?

This contest has been around for 26th year, the contest is one of the biggest attractions at the annual Sonoma County Fair. There are around 29 dogs along with their owners that  participate in a rather unusual competition.

2.How did this year's winner Peanut get his 'ugly' looks?

The two-year-old shelter dog was badly burnt in a fire which caused him to lose his lips, most of his body hair and eyelids. As a result, his eyes constantly water. Add some sharp teeth to the mix and you get an evil looking dog. This dog is very lucky to be alive!

3.What is the organizer's main purpose for organizing this unusual competition?

Before the event to ensure they are healthy, and also has a 'pep' or should we say 'pet' talk to confirm they are happy and well-taken care of. The competition is also a great way to honor these dogs, many of whom owe their unusual looks to human abuse. But most importantly, it raises awareness for their adoption by showing the world that physical detractions do not prevent dogs from becoming loving pets.

Critical Thinking Challenge:

Do you think this is an appropriate title for the competition? What would you change it to?

I think it might be a bit too straight forward because you wouldn't have a competition for the word ugliest human. Another name for the competition could be 'Most Unique Dog'.

Word Search 

Australia's Favorite White Humpback Makes A Rare Appearance

What is so special about Migaloo?

Migaloo is special because he is the first documented all white humpback whale. He is all white because he has a skin condition call albinism also known as albino a person or animal having a congenital absence of pigment in the skin and hair (which are white) and the eyes (which are usually pink).

Cite a few facts from the article that tell you how precious Migaloo is to the people of Australia.

Migaloo was given the name of 'White Fella' in the indigenous Australian language. He became an instant local darling and He was as immediately elevated to the status of 'special interest whale'. This meads boats and jet-skis have to keep a distance of at least 500 meters, while airplanes have to be more than 2,000 meters away from the mammal. Anybody caught violating this rule is subject to a fine exceeding $12,500 AUD.  Migaloo's fans have also built several websites dedicated to his every move and even set up an active Facebook page and Twitter account in his honor. That fact that he has fans is another reason why he is so special.

Why is Migaloo known as a 'hypo-pigmented' humpback? Is he the only one?

Because he is lighter than other whale that is why they call him 'hypo-pigmented'. I don't think that he is the only one because I think that there will be more than humpback whale with albinism the skin condition. Plus in September 2011, Alan Fewings and his family reported seeing a white calf amongst a pod of migrating whales

Critical Thinking Challenge:

Do you think Migaloo's special color helps or hurts him from human predators? Why

I think that he has more protection than other humpback whales because of his colour like they are made boats and jet-skis have to keep a distance of at least 500 meters, while airplanes have to be more than 2,000 meters away from the mammal. Anybody caught violating this rule is subject to a fine exceeding $12,500 AUD. Over the years, Migaloo's fans have also built several websites dedicated to his every move and even set up an active Facebook page and Twitter account in his honor.

Who Knew Corn Flakes Could Look So Good?

 1.What cereal does Rosado use to create her portraits?

Rosado uses cornflakes to make her portraits.

 2.Why does it take so long to create each masterpiece?

Rosado starts by sketching the image of the artist.Then begins the painstaking process of crushing the cereal to the right size so that it can be carefully placed on the outline. Once that is done, the artist uses a pin to carefully shape the nose, eyes and mouth.

 3.Name some celebrities that have featured in her cereal art series. What kind of art did Rosando unveil in 2013?

Some of Rosado portraits are of 'the king of pop', Michael Jackson, Reggae legend Bob Marley, R&B singer Alicia Keys, as well as, former Beatle, John Lennon.

4.Why do you think that artist picked Corn Flakes and not any other cereal? Can you think of any other everyday food that could be used to create art?

She got inspired by to use corn flakes while she was eating her breakfast. You could also use rice, pencil, lollipop sticks and zips.

114-Foot Tower In Budapest Is The World's Tallest Lego Structure!!!

1. Where was the most recent tallest Lego structure built? Who built it?

The most recent tallest Lego structure was built in front of the Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest. The tower that exceeded the previous record holder by about 2 feet was made using 450,000 Lego bricks - 50,000 less than used in the tower built by the US students.

2. What are the two requirements imposed by the Guinness World Records before a Lego tower can be eligible for inclusion?

The tower had to be build with no glue. The wires were removed, once the tower was ready. But that or the fact that it had been built using no adhesives (another requirement), did not seem to be an issue. Unfortunately, all the hard work has to be undone on May 26th, the day after the tower was officially named the World's tallest Lego structure.

3. Why does the author believe that a new Lego tower record will be attempted soon?

Because the record was broken three time in 2012 so a lot of people are interested in bracken the record.

4.What in your opinion makes building 'the world's tallest Lego structure' so popular?

I think it is so popular because it will be fun to make it and a lot of people would like to be in the guinness book of records.

Vegetarian Crocodiles? You Better Believe It!

1. What is unusual about the reptiles that live at Nyanyanya crocodile farm?

The Nyanyanya crocodile are unusual because they are 100% vegetarian and eat pellets made of protein concentrate, minerals, vitamins, maize meal and water has been good for the crocodiles. They have got softer skin to a normal crocodiles that eat meat because of the stuff in the pallets. They also spend a lot of their day sleeping. This makes it safer for the workers to clean their enclosures.

2.How did they turn this way?

In 2006, when Zimbabwe was undergoing an economic crises, the company found it hard to find affordable meat to feed the 164,000 crocodiles that were being raised in the farm. They started feeding the reptiles with pellets that were a mix of meat and vegetables. They noticing that the change in diet did not seem to change the reptile's growth, they gradually eliminated the meat completely so now they feed the crocodiles pellets with no meat.


3.What are the crocodiles being bred for?

The crocodiles are being bred for their skin and then sold to and  transformed into leather and made into handbags, shoes and belts.

4.Critical Thinking Challenge:

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin? Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for meat? Why?

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin?

I don't like the idea of the crocodiles being bred for their skin because it's not right that they have to be killed and then made in to handbags, shoes and belts. If the crocodile was a still alive would you still wear it as a handbags or a belt or even a pair of shoes on your feet.

Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for meat?

No it is no different from cows or chickens that are killed for meat. Yes we still can survive without meat but we eat meat  is so we can get iron and stay healthy. But killing crocodiles for their skin is not right just so some people can have a handbag made out of crocodile leather!

13-Year-Old Indian Girl Becomes The Youngest Female To Conquer The Everest

1. What did Malavath do? Why does the author believe it is so admirable?

Malavath was the youngest female to climb Mount Everest. The author probable thinks that it is so admirable that someone at the age of 13 can be brave enough to complete Mount Everest.

2. What did she have to do to get selected for the Mount Everest climb? What happened when Malavath reached the advanced base camp?

She was one of the twenty selected to go to an advanced training session at the Darjeeling Himalayan Mountaineering Institute for two weeks. After that, only two younger people were chosen, and one was Malavath. Once Malavath had climbed to the advanced camp, she got alltidute sickness and was sent back down to base camp. After three days, she didn't want to give up so she continued climbing.

3. How long did it take the team to get to the summit? What does Malavath hope her achievement will do to help other people?

It took them fifty two days to make it to the summit. She hopes her achievements will encourage underprivileged children to get involved with their dreams.